Iran, warning dissidents, executes 2 in bomb case

January 29, 2010|By Borzou Daragahi, Tribune Newspapers

BEIRUT — Iran executed two men Thursday and sentenced nine people described as political protesters to death as "enemies of God," in an apparent attempt to intimidate a widespread protest movement challenging the nation's hard-line establishment.

Mohammad-Ali Zamani and Arash Rahmanipour were hanged before dawn for their alleged role in the deadly April 2008 bombing of a mosque in the southern city of Shiraz, Iranian news media reported, citing a statement by prosecutors. The bombing killed 13 people and wounded 200.

They also were accused of being members of a small, outlawed monarchist group called the Kingdom Assembly.

The nine people convicted of being "mohareb," or enemies of God, are accused of taking part in "counterrevolutionary and norm-breaking acts and rioting" in recent months and on the Dec. 27 Shiite Muslim religious holiday Ashoura, when protesters and security forces clashed in the streets.

Iran is in the grip of its greatest domestic political crisis in decades, triggered by the disputed June re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

The death row inmates are accused of plotting to overthrow the Islamic Republic and being members of the Kingdom Assembly or the Mujahedin-e Khalq, an outlawed Iranian militant group listed as a terrorist organization by the United States.

The news agency said an appeals court is reviewing the death sentences, which come as the government and opposition prepare for another round of possible confrontations during Feb. 11 marches marking the 31st anniversary of the Islamic Republic.

Protesters have vowed to turn the annual march into an anti-government rally.

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Casting a wide net

The opposition says President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won the June presidential election through fraud. Hundreds of thousands have poured into the streets of Iran since then on various occasions to support Ahmadinejad's main challenger, opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi.

Dozens of protesters were killed in the unrest and hundreds detained since June.

Iran has put on trial more then 100 political activists and figures since August. The defendants have included not only those directly involved in protests but also opposition politicians and writers -- a sign the leadership has used the turmoil as an opportunity to cast a wide net in pursuing its various opponents. More than 80 of those on trial have been sentenced to prison terms ranging from six months to 15 years.